BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of April 10, 2007

 

The Board attended an Elected Official Retreat at the Forest Service Training Center, 171 Martha Creek Road in Stabler at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 9, 2007 with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, with no action taken.

 

The Board convened at 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve payroll for the period ending March 31, 2007 in the total amount of $1,039,522.47.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a contract with the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to provide funding for the Community Mobilization Program to reduce the incidence of substance abuse and violence for youth and families.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 8:47 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to terminate the employment agreement with Tod LeFevre for Public Works Director/County Engineer services, with the 30-day termination notice effective today, and the effective date of termination on April 30, 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:48 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2007 and reconvened at 9:55 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board presented a letter to Tod LeFevre advising of the 30-day notice of termination of his employment agreement with Skamania County effective today, with the effective date of termination on May 1, 2007.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to appoint Larry Douglass as Interim Public Works Director at Range 31-A for a period up to six-months, with the caveat that he would not be at at-will status during this appointment and may return to his current position as County Road Superintendent.

 

The Board advised they would be attending the American Forest Resource Council Annual meeting at Skamania Lodge intermittently today and Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board gave an update and direction to Public Works staff regarding termination of the agreement with the Public Works Director/County Engineer.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:42 p.m. until 2:05 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2007 and was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Tod LeFevre commented on concerns regarding termination of his employment agreement with Skamania County.

 

Sally Newell advised of concerns regarding an application for a bed and breakfast proposed on Orchard Lane in Underwood.

 

Joe Birkenfeld requested that the excavation material removed from Rock Creek, as a result of the Piper Road slide, be allowed to remain on the property where it was temporarily placed, and recommended that cleanup of material and debris from Rock Creek be done during the summer months.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of April 3, 2007.

2.       Contract with City of Stevenson to provide animal control services within City limits.

3.       Memorandum of Understanding between Sheriff & Juvenile Dept to provide transport for juvenile offenders.

4.       Agreement with USDA Forest Service to provide funding for works projects on Forest Services land by hosting the County’s Work Crew Program that provides work & training opportunities for inmates.

5.       Contract amendment A (E07-011) with Military Dept extending the term to September 30, 2007 and increasing the funding by $29,273 for Wireline and Wireless Enhanced 911 operations.

6.       Contract with Mosquito Control District for implementation of mosquito control plan for Home Valley area.

7.       Contract with Polar System for technical assistance for installation/conversion of 2000 AD Server to 2003 AD Server and installation/conversion of 2000 Exchange Server to 2003 Exchange Server.

8.       Temporary License Agreement and Stipulation for Construction with Joseph and Diane Birkenfeld to use and occupy land for access to Rock Creek and for excavation and placement of material on the subject property due to the Piper Road/Rock Creek area landslide activity.

9.       Authorize purchase of a used Balemaster EO-Series Automatic Baler from Kirk Sales International for Solid Waste.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of April 10, 2007.  Discussion included Portland metro area solid waste contract, Tribal Leadership Forum, and the Commission role during appeal hearings.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:30 a.m. until 10:55 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:55 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Auditor Mike Garvison and Senior Services Director Darlene Dickson discussed claim for expense vouchers for Senior Services drivers.  All parties present were in agreement to establish a revolving reimbursement checking account for Senior Services to reimburse their volunteer drivers for mileage.

 

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending April 12, 2007 in the total amount of $86,603.41.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007 and reconvened at 11:40 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Richardson advised that the Forest Service would be closing Coldwater Creek Visitor’s Center at the end of this season.  Following discussion, the Board was in agreement to send a letter to Forest Supervisor Claire Lavendel and Tom Mulder, Mount St. Helens Monument District Ranger advising of Skamania County’s concerns with the decision to close the Visitor’s Center without any input from the County, and reiterating the County’s request to be involved in management decisions on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 

 

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss Council of Governments Home Health Care, unfinished business, Public Works administration, and department head meeting, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:00.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON